THÈMES D'INSPIRATION

by Charles DEKEUKELEIRE
1938 / 35mm / b&w / sound / 9' 00

« The types and landscapes of Flanders, Brabant, and Wallonia have always inspired our artists. Nothing is more moving than to find, in works born on Belgian soil—from the North Sea to the Ardennes—the constant presence of the country’s sites and inhabitants.» – Charles Dekeukeleire

Produced in 1938, this film by Charles Dekeukeleire explores the connection between the renowned paintings of various Belgian artists—such as Pieter Bruegel, Valerius De Saedeleer, Peter Paul Rubens, Hans Memling, Constantin Meunier, Constant Permeke, and James Ensor—and the modern landscapes and people of Belgium. Dekeukeleire achieves this by juxtaposing the works of the Old Masters with his own footage, creating a dialogue between artistic heritage and cinematic present. Through this approach, he demonstrates that Flemish painting is deeply rooted in the land and life of Belgium.

Originally created for the 1938–1939 New York World’s Fair, Thèmes d’inspiration represented Belgium at the 1938 Venice Biennale, where it won the Best Documentary Award.

Dekeukeleire’s work is not only influenced by his avant-garde background but also collaborates with many visual artists to develop these pictorial themes. In doing so, he paves the way for emerging trends in art documentary filmmaking in Belgium, which flourished in the 1940s and 1950s. Belgium became a fertile ground for such productions, with filmmakers like André Cauvin, Henri Storck, Paul Haesaerts, and Luc de Heusch—many of whom were linked to or influenced by avant-garde movements—seeking to create art films with modernist or avant-garde aesthetics, whether through artistic analyses or portraits of artists at work.

2 PRINTS IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format DCP on server (INTEROP 2K)
screen 1,33
speed 24 fps
sound sound
rental fee 42,00 €

distribution format Digital file on server (FHD)
screen 1,33
speed 25 fps
sound sound
rental fee 42,00 €